Where To List Awards On Your Resume (With Examples)

While many of us have been taught to downplay our achievements, your resume is one of the few places where showcasing your accomplishments is not just acceptable—it’s encouraged. Including awards on your resume is a powerful way to distinguish yourself as a candidate and demonstrate to hiring managers the unique value you bring to the table.

In this article, we’ll guide you on where and how to list your awards and honors on your resume, as well as the types of awards that are worth including.

Key Takeaways

• Create a dedicated resume section for your awards or integrate them into your work experience bullet points.

• Including awards enhances your resume, helping you stand out from other candidates while enriching your work experience narrative.

• Feel free to include accomplishments, promotions, and publications alongside your awards on your resume.

How to Include Awards on a Resume

When adding awards to your resume, you can choose to either create a separate awards section or incorporate them into your existing work experience bullet points.

1. Create a separate awards section. Just as you would have sections for your skills, education, and work experience, a designated awards section can effectively highlight your achievements.

   Decide how much detail to provide for each award. Commonly recognized awards, such as a Fulbright Scholar Program participation, may not require further explanation. However, for niche awards or certifications from specific organizations, a brief description can provide valuable context to hiring managers.

2. Add them to your work experience section. You can also weave awards into relevant sections of your resume. If you’ve earned an award during your education, include it in your education section. Providing context for how the award relates to the job you’re applying for can add value.

Regardless of your approach, always use action verbs and clearly state the award, the awarding organization, and the year you received it. This helps potential employers understand the significance of the award and shows how current your skills and knowledge are. The more recent the award, the more impressive it appears.

If you decide to explain the award, include its scope and criteria for selection, which can enhance its significance. Clarifying whether the award was granted on a national, regional, state, or local level can further bolster your credentials.

Examples of Including Awards on Your Resume

Below are examples of how to incorporate awards into your resume. Remember to focus on relevant accolades to ensure they resonate with the hiring manager.

Even if you’re proud of an award, if it lacks relevance to the position, it may not aid your application. Consider mentioning it in your cover letter or discussing it during an interview instead.

Including awards as a separate section:

Including awards in resume sections:

What Are Awards on a Resume?

In addition to your skills and work history, you can list awards, certifications, and other honors relevant to your industry on your resume. This can include professional certifications, academic awards, scholarships, competition recognitions, and significant promotions.

Feel free to tailor your awards section to align with the job description for each position you apply for.

Awards are a versatile way to showcase both your hard and soft skills. You can highlight technical accolades (like “Best Software Programmer” in a robotics competition) as well as interpersonal skills (such as “Most Valuable Team Leader”).

The Benefits of Putting Awards on Your Resume

So why should you take the time to curate your awards for your resume? Awards can significantly enhance your candidacy by providing tangible proof of your skills and accomplishments. They demonstrate to potential employers that you would be a valuable addition to their team. Plus, impressing recruiters with notable recognitions can increase your chances of landing an interview.

Additionally, showcasing your accomplishments helps provide a fuller picture of your personal and professional history. If you lack extensive experience in a specific field, including a relevant certification can help clarify how you developed your skills.

Tips for Putting Awards on Your Resume

When listing awards on your resume, remember to tailor them to the job you’re applying for, ensure they are recent, and include any relevant accomplishments.

1. Tailor them to the position you’re applying for. Ensure that the awards you include are valuable to anyone reading your resume. Only feature awards that are relevant to the position and that will resonate with a recruiter.

   Consider the relevance of each award. For instance, an award for MVP in college basketball may not be pertinent to a software development role but could hold value for a personal trainer position.

2. Make sure your awards are recent. For mid-level job applications, avoid including achievements from your college years, such as being on the Dean’s List, unless you are a recent graduate. Keeping your awards current demonstrates ongoing growth and relevance in your field.

3. Don’t forget your accomplishments. If you lack extensive awards or certifications, consider replacing the awards section with an accomplishments section. This allows you to showcase what you value and consider your most significant successes.

Types of Awards to Include on Resume

You can include any type of award on your resume, provided it’s relevant to your profession, industry, or the job you’re targeting. Common categories of awards and certificates include academic, professional, industry-related, and personal.

Here are some examples of accolades you can include on your resume:

• Dean’s list awards

• Published work in industry publications

• Promotions

• Professional skills course certificates

• Company awards

• Grants and scholarships

• Leadership positions

• Community or civic awards

• Latin honors or graduation distinctions

• High results on standardized tests

• Professional association awards

• Volunteering awards

• Language skills

• Athletic awards

In conclusion, effectively listing your awards on your resume can significantly enhance your job application by highlighting your skills and achievements. Tailor your selections to each job opportunity, ensure they are recent and relevant, and consider integrating your awards into existing sections of your resume for maximum impact. By doing so, you can create a standout resume that captures the attention of hiring managers.

Author

Amanda Covaleski

Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.

Expert

Don Pippin, MHRM, CPRW, CDCS

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.